Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin urged Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) to actively supervise pricing dynamics on electronic trading platforms. This directive was conveyed through the government Telegram channel and reflects a clear focus on how prices are formed in online marketplaces and related services.
In a subsequent meeting with Maxim Shaskolsky, head of the FAS, officials discussed findings from consumer complaints that revealed instances of dynamic or variable pricing when calculating travel costs. The concerns spanned several sectors, including rail and air transportation, as well as taxi services and hospitality. The FAS has identified price-setting practices where the cost to the consumer can change based on demand, timing, or other factors, and noted that such practices require closer scrutiny to ensure fairness and transparency for customers.
To address these issues, the service is employing a range of soft price regulation tools. These measures aim to guide market behavior toward reasonable pricing while avoiding abrupt shocks to consumers. The approach prioritizes stability and predictability for travelers, passengers, and guests, while still allowing market forces to operate where appropriate.
During the discussion, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of extending price monitoring to the rapidly growing e-commerce sector. This includes not only traditional online stores but also platforms that provide ride-sharing services, taxi options, and other on-demand offerings. The intention is to build a comprehensive view of pricing across digital marketplaces and related platforms, ensuring consistent oversight as the sector expands.
Another key point was the need for closer coordination among the FAS, the Federal Treasury, and the Federal Tax Service. Such collaboration would enable quicker, coordinated responses to any price increases that could affect public welfare, particularly in essential transport and accommodation sectors. The goal is timely intervention when necessary to maintain fair pricing while safeguarding consumer interests.
In a separate development, the government approved the Rules for alienation of federal property, signaling ongoing reforms intended to clarify asset management and sales procedures at the national level. These regulatory steps are part of a broader effort to improve market efficiency and governance across multiple state-controlled sectors.
Overall, the discussions underscore a policy inclination toward greater transparency in pricing, reinforced oversight of dynamic pricing practices, and stronger interagency cooperation. The government appears committed to balancing market freedom with protections for consumers, ensuring that price changes on both traditional and digital platforms are reasonable and predictable for everyday users.